Ombudsman acts by self-tasking in tax administration v Antena Group case

The Ombudsman has acted by self-tasking on the eviction notice of the National Tax Administration Agency (ANAF) to the Antena Group, on grounds of a possible violations of the Constitution. 

According to an Ombudsman's release issued on Thursday for AGERPRES, "the ex officio notification refers to a possible violation of article 30 and article 31 of the Romanian Constitution on freedom of speech and right to information." 

"The Ombudsman's approaches consider discussions with the parties involved, requests of information and documents, the examination of the constitutional, legal and procedural aspects related to the case," reads the release. 

The Ombudsman specifically mentioned that the action does not bring into question the observance of court rulings. 

Private TVs of the Antena Group got a five-day eviction notice on Monday from the Bucharest Public Finances Regional General Directorate of the ANAF. Tax authorities are thus attempting to enforce a court sentence of 2013, confirmed on an appeal in 2014, against Dan Voiculescu, a former senator and owner of the Antena TV stations, convicted to a 10-year prison term in a case of fraudulent privatization of a research institute. The sentence included the confiscation of Voiculescu's real estate to cover his share of prejudices of 60 million euros. AGERPRES